I had a surprise return to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in January, a renowned historic landmark and museum just north of San Diego. The first time I walked through its grounds, I was only a teenager and remember the sacred-ness of the place, although I wouldn’t have described it that way at 15. It was founded more than two hundred years ago as the 7th of 21 missions statewide and features a chapel still standing where Saint Serra once celebrated Mass.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
Today, it embraces its diverse roots, from Native American and Spanish to Mexican and European heritages. It was originally built as a self sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, and it served as a center for agriculture, industry, education and religion. It is apparently famous for the annual return of the swallows, although I experienced it.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
It’s a very large area to explore, from the Courtyard (1776), the Soldiers Barracks (1790’s), the Mission’s Historic Cemetery (1777), The West Garden (1790’s), the Bell Wall (1813) and more. You can go into the South Wing Museum Rooms to see what it was like to live as a Padre. There’s a grinding stone which was used to ground acorns for food and the kitchen gives you an idea of what life may have been like. There’s also a Mission Clubhouse which features hands-on activities that teach about the Ajachemen people’s culture and traditions.
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
San Juan Capistrano Mission
At the Mission, they have a variety of bell ringing rituals. The last full blooded Acjachemen bell ringer was slated to be Jose de Garcia Cruz (1922). In 2013, the Mission began ringing the bells during the opening hour to honor Saint Junipero Serra, the actual founder of the San Juan Capistrano Mission.
We were a little early to experience the miracle of the “Swallows,” which takes place every March 19, also known as St. Joseph’s Day. In the book Capistrano Nights, Father St. John O’Sullivan (1914-1933 pastor) explains how the swallows kept returning to the Mission, which is a tender story about his offering them shelter when a shopkeeper shooed them away.
There are many opportunities to take in the history on your walk through the Mission, including learning about the legacy of Saint Serra, whose missionary training established nine of the 21 California missions. There’s also art from the early 1900’s to 2016. There is also the Serra Chapel on-site (1782) which has beautiful stained glass throughout as well as red glassed candles you can light on your way into the church.
And let’s not forget Mother Mary as you enter.
It’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and I’d highly recommend visiting it if you’re in the San Diego area.
There’s also a fish pond and water fountain as well towards the entrance; it’s ever so peaceful here.
I’d also suggest walking the town, where you’ll find art galleries and antique stores as well as specialty shops. Parking is relatively easy on the street or in a parking lot a couple of blocks away if you go mid-week. Visit their website to learn more. Be sure to check out our California page for more fun things to do in the state.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
